Kander sets up Early Voting Commission (AUDIO)

Missouri’s Secretary of State has created an early voting commission that is looking at allowing eligible voters to cast their ballot before Election Day.

Secretary of State Jason Kander says Missouri is one of 15 states that does not have a no-excuse or absentee advance voting. The commission is expected to meet three times throughout this month to discuss various methods of advance voting, other state’s experiences with early voting methods, and implementing advance voting practices in the state.

He says he believes the state needs to move forward on some form of secure, advance voting. The commission will allow the feasibility of the different options so that it can eventually present the best one to the legislature. Kander says it’s an issue that’s been in front of the legislature for years.

“It seems to have bi-partisan interest at least, so we want to determine the best way to move forward and we think the commission can give us that fresh look that will allow that to happen,” he says.

Kander says in 2010, there were only four states in America that had longer waiting times to vote than Missouri.

“I just think that’s unacceptable and if voting is more convenient then more people will vote,” he says. “All elected officials will truly represent more people within the state.”

He says it’s an issue that’s received bi-partisan interest.

“We want to determine the best way to move forward and we think the commission can give us that fresh look that will allow that to happen,” he says. “The members of the commission- our local election officials, other elected office holders, business leaders and additional stakeholders so that we can get a wide variety of opinions and perspective on how best to implement it.”

He says he placed a large focus on finding members who have a strong commitment to ensuring Missouri’s elections are fair, efficient, and secure. Kander says he’s looking to get a wide variety of opinions and perspective on how best to implement it, as well as giving Missourians the opportunity to provide input.